PRACTICAL SIMCHA B’MITZVOS; Part 2In Part #1 we attempted to show that simcha b’mitzvos is much closer to us than previously imagined. We built on a certain premise that mitzvos are not burdensome to us and therefore by simply focusing we can reach the basic level of simcha b’mitzvos as defined by the אורחות צדיקים [that as soon as a מצוה is not being done as a burden it is already b’simcha]In Part #2 I would like to give further practical direction in reaching simcha b’mitzvos. How can we gain more and more joy in mitzvos? Part #1 was working with where we are; Part #2 is to develop us further.Let us focus on four central areas.חיצוניות מעורר פנימיות1 the חינוך מצוה טז and the מסילת ישרים (פרקים ז וכג) teach that we can affect our inner feeling – our פנימיות- through our outer self – our חיצוניות. According to this principle if we act as if we are happy we will be happy. This appears to be a leniency as all one has to do is act. However, this is also a big חומרה. Now there is no excuse. Previously one could say “I don’t feel inspired”. That is no longer sufficient because yes you are uninspired inside, but your outside is still in your control.Let’s work with this idea more practically. Three חיצוני areas we can use to get ourselves in a better mood are posture, smiling and singing. It is difficult to feel depressed if one has the proper posture; stand straight and throw back your shoulders. How do you feel? Now stoop over and sag your shoulders. How do you feel now? Posture helps us stay focused in classes and shiurim. So too when it comes to doing מצוות; the correct posture helps focus and allows one to be that much closer to joy in the Mitzvah.Posture can operate both as a sibah (a cause) to be happy and as a siman (a sign) of happiness [this can be said for smiling and singing also]. What does our posture say about how we are approaching the מצוה? Does our posture bespeak seriousness and purpose or lack of interest and involvement? Smiling is also a simple thing one can do to feel good. Many studies point to the beneficial powers of smiling. Why not smile before and during a מצוה? Is there a מצוה not to look happy when doing a מצוה? This is perhaps understandable for someone whose יראת שמים puts him in a place of fear and הכנעה but this is clearly not our general reality. What message would it send to our children and those far from Torah if they saw us smiling as we did מצוות? And what message does it send when they see us smiling about a lot of other things and not מצוות? How many children would not have left the דרך had they seen their parents and neighbors thoroughly enjoying מצוות?Much of the same can be said for singing. It can of course put someone in a good mood and we know certain מצוות were specifically accompanied with signing.A way to remember these three is the p-s-s! siman [posture- smiling- singing]]More basically the mesilas yesharim means one should move quickly during a מצוה.[התבוננות2 in Part #1 we mentioned the מגיד משנה that the way to simcha b’mitzvos is by realizing that מצוות are what we were created for. One is always happy when doing what he was created for. Truthfully, there are many things to focus on. One can say to himself: “this action is getting me to the eternity of the next world”, “this is connecting me to Hashem”, “this is meaningful”, “this action makes me more connected to the rest of Klal Yisroel”, or “this action has a cosmic affect on the whole world and will help many people”. The more מצוות become meaningful to us through these מחשבות the happier we will be doing them. The main thing is to find a התבוננות which works for you and spend time focusing on it. Simcha is, of course, a very individualistic thing.הכנה3taking just a short moment to focus before doing a מצוה can totally change the experience and help our joy levels. It is difficult to be joyful about something done without any planning. Taking the extra minute will bring much reward. הכנה is not only mental. We can also do some small action. Rav Leuchter says that all of his davening is dependent on buttoning his coat as he begins Shemoneh Esrai.4Taking your time the world today is always rushing. We are losing the ability to take time and appreciate the things we do. This will obviously hinder our joy in מצוות. Therefore one has to make a decision before doing a מצוה to take his time. These four areas are some of the major pathways towards simcha b’mitzvos. Each person can find his own byways to help him in this central area.(please send comments and questions to rdsvaad@gmail.com)